Autism Program for Children Under Age 6 (Reach ABA)
What is the REACH ABA Autism Program?
The Reach ABA program is for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) living in Delta, Surrey or Langley. It is a skill-building program that uses Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) to teach young children with autism new skills in the areas of communication, cognition/academics, play/social skills, fine motor skills and self-help. An individualized behaviour plan of intervention, covering all child development domains, will be developed by a behaviour consultant and, if desired, a speech-language pathologist and/or occupational therapist. Children participate in 8-10 hours of intervention weekly with a behaviour interventionist in their home or at a REACH centre. Behaviour interventionists are trained and supervised by a team of professionals. Other services include consultation and training from a Behaviour Consultant, Speech-Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist. Teams include trained and supervised Behaviour Interventionists (BIs). In addition, there are excellent resources available from the BC Government that can be used before or at diagnosis as well as information to explain how autism funding works.
ABA Program teaching methods:
Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) is a science devoted to the understanding and improvement of human behaviour. ABA strives to make meaningful changes in children’s lives.
REACH ABA is a skill building program that uses the principles of ABA to teach functional skills to children with autism spectrum disorders. We use discreet trial training (DDT) and natural teaching strategies (NTS) along with systematic prompting and reinforcement procedures.
We are a family centered program that provides individualized services that are customized to the needs of each child and family. Families are the key decision makers in establishing priorities for intervention and the ABA team provides education and training to assist families in creating a supportive environment for their children to learn and develop. All behaviour consultants, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists are listed on the Registry Of Autism Service Providers (RASP)
2 Options for Families:
The Reach ABA program provides services to children in Delta, Surrey and parts of Langley.
PLAY AND LEARN PEER CONNECTIONS – REACH CENTRES ONLY
Play and Learn Peer Connections is a centre-based program that focuses on teaching children how to succeed in preschool, school, and community settings. Children have individualized goals, and participate in play-based, highly structured 1-1 and small group activities. Children attend three days a week for a total of 27-30 hours per month. Each child’s group readiness will be assessed prior to starting the program.
1-1 Time
All children will have 1-1 sessions each day, based on the goals outlined in their program plan. Goals may include developing children’s language and communication, play, cognitive, fine motor, and self-help skills.
Group Time
Children participate in small groups of 2-3 children. Intervention goals focus on preparing children for other group environments such as preschool, school, and community settings. Group activities involve peer interaction and are designed to help children practice the communication and play skills they learn in 1-1 sessions. Children will also learn social skills, emotional regulation, and flexibility as they participate in activities with peers.
PLAY AND LEARN FAMILY CONNECTIONS – CENTRE or HOME 1-1 ONLY
Play and Learn Family Connections promotes children’s learning in the areas of communication, play, social skills, fine motor, cognitive, and self-help skills. Children have individualized goals and participate in play-based, highly structured 1-1 sessions. Children attend two days a week for a total of 16-18 hours per month. Parents learn teaching strategies to develop their child’s skills, and increase their child’s engagement in family activities.
1-1 Time
All children will have 1-1 sessions each time, based on the goals outlined in their program plan. Goals may include developing children’s language and communication, play, cognitive, fine motor, and self-help skills.
Parent Participation
Parents are important teachers for their children. You and your child’s team will set goals for teaching your child new skills in home routines. Your team will provide coaching and teaching strategies to meet these goals. Goals may include toilet training, expanding your child’s diet, and teaching your child to communicate.
Eligibility:
REACH is committed to provide accessible services. To ensure fair access to our ABA Program we have outlined our entry, transition and exit criteria for you below.
Entry criteria:
Anyone may refer a child on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for services as long as the legal guardian has given verbal or written permission. Children need to:
- have a diagnosis of ASD
- have access to Autism funding through the Ministry of Children and Family Development
- be younger than 5.0 years old.
Transition criteria:
Children moving to another province need to transition to a service provider in that province. Autism services differ in each province and territory.
Children may also transition to another service provider if they move out of the Delta, Surrey or Langley area if this is more convenient for the family.
Exit criteria:
Children will be discharged at the end of the month of their 6th birthday.
Autism Program for Children
Parents wishing to access services for children with autism can contact Carol Ywan
How to register for ABA Program?
Contact us now!
N: Carol Ywan
P: (604) 946-6622, ext. 343
E: caroly@reachchild.org
L: Delta, Surrey, & Langley areas
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